Randy Granger, a native New Mexican, is a multi-instrumentalist who specializes in the Native American flute and various percussion instruments, will perform a benefit concert for Mesilla Valley Hospice Saturday evening a service to which he has personal ties.

Music can be a great healing experience — both for the musician and the listeners alike. It can also hold a touching story. In fact, much of his latest album "Strong Medicine," released last fall, deals with issues that Mesilla Valley Hospice sees every day. He lost his partner two years ago to pancreatic cancer.

Playing Native American flute and various percussion instruments, such as the Hang (a type of drum), Randy Granger has volunteered multiple performances for Mesilla Valley Hospice. This award-winning, multi-instrumentalist will dedicate his concert Saturday night to the patients, friends and families utilizing MVH's services. He also dedicates his performance to the MVH staff who he says works tirelessly to support and nurture lives while contributing to the philosophy that end of life can be filled with meaning, comfort and dignity.

"I'll be pairing my music with what they do every day at the hospice. I have a great appreciation for them," Granger said, and hopes to express his deep gratitude through his music.

"I have had a lot of friends go through hospice, and I feel that the work that they do is so important," he said, mentioning that MVH offers grief counseling, home visits and support for 28 patients and their families.

Since performing songs from "Strong Medicine," released Sept.

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13, 2012, Granger said people come up to him after performances to tell him their story about themselves or their loved one who faced a terminal illness such as cancer.

"I'm recognizing that my music is helping people to heal and get through their own grief. It's a huge responsibility and an honor. I feel pretty powerful when I play live because of it," he said.

Three local musicians will also join in a few songs at the concert including Steve Smith, Chris Sanders and Alison Reynolds of La Cella Bella.

The sounds you will hear at this performance have an Americana and folk flair, and his music is described as uplifting and smooth.

"Just because it's a benefit for hospice doesn't mean it's going to be sad," Granger said.

"Strong Medicine" was funded by a Kickstarter campaign, an online fundraising tool in which people or groups pledge money (usually in exchange for perks) in order to "kick start" a musical project or artistic idea. He exceeded his goal by 11 percent based on an overwhelming fan support response in July that helped him reaffirm that people care and support his musical career, he said.

As a full-time touring musician, Granger finds much of his inspiration as well as his roots here. As a native New Mexican, he grew up in Hobbs and remembers being exposed to "cowboy" music and Native American-inspired themes, as well as pop and jazz.

He also talks about his experiences into a tape recorder and plays it back later to come up with his lyrics and song ideas. He gets ideas for new music through visits to the Las Cruces farmer's market, eating at a restaurant in a town where he's never been or when he is hiking, to name a few.

"The people, places and landscape of New Mexico are my main inspiration for my music. I enjoy the openness and the blue skies. I'm just inspired by nature," he said.

While he has been on tour in Chicago, Los Angeles, Milwaukee and other places, he has not considered leaving New Mexico. He enjoys living in the desert and the small-town feel of Las Cruces.

"It's where I come to write songs and enjoy my down time. And, hey, we have the best food here, right?"

Granger blogs and cooks in his spare time, and uploaded a video of himself making red chile enchiladas to his Facebook page. A fan suggested he come up with a cookbook to be released with his next album, and it's something he's considering working on in the future.

Daniella Wiedel is a freelance writer and may be reached at daniella.wiedel@gmail.com.

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